highborn



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. HIOHBORN.

LIFE BUOY No 388,971. Patented Sept. 4, 1888.

INVENTOR' 5m mam,

WITNESSES:

AUORIIgEY (fie Modek.) 3 sheets sheet 2.

P. HIUHBORN.

LIFE BUOY.

No. 388,971. Patented Sept. 4, 1888,

A TTOR/VEY;

N. PETERS. Photo/Mammalian Washington. D C.

(No Model.) s Sheets-Sheet 3.

P. HICHBORN.-

-LIIE'E BUOY;

Patented Sept. 4, 1888.

By mu". ATTORNEY,

WITNESS/58 N. PETE1!& mwuuw m w, Washinglon. a c,

llrnran STATES i stant @rricn.

PHILIP HICHBORN, OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

LIFE-BUOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,971, datedSeptember 1-, 1888.

Application filed June 4, 1888. Serial No. 276,166. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PHILIP Hrcnnoan, naval constructor, United StatesNavy, a citizen of the United States, temporarily residing inWVashington, District of Columbia, have invented an Improved Life-"Buoy,of which the following is a full description.

Myinvcntion is an improvement-in that class of lifebuoys which are heldsuspended at the side or stern of a vessel in such a manner that theymay be instantly released and allowed to fall into the water whenrequired for use.

The buoy proper is provided with pivoted signal stafl's or torches,whichare self-righting when in the water, standing then at right angles tothe buoy, but in stowing the latter they are turned into a positionparallel to it, so as to occupy aslittlc space as practicable. Whenstowed at the vessels side, the torches are sealed water-tight, but theseal is broken automatically in the act of launching the buoy. Thebreaking of the seal may subserve either of two purposes, according tothe substance employed in the torches to produce a light. Thus I maycharge the torches with portfire such as is now used in buoys on UnitedStates vessels, and in such case the breaking of the seal would be madeto set free a springliamincr or some other device by which a fulininatewould be exploded and the said portfire ignited; out I do not preferthis method, but propose to so construct the torches that water isfreely admitted when the seal is broken, and to charge the torches witha substance-preferably calcium phcsphide-which possesses the chemicalproperty of decomposing with water, the oxygen of the latter going tothe calcium and the phosphorus and hydrogen uniting and escaping inbubbles, which ignite as they ascend through the water and reach theair. The combustion is, however, so slow as to involve no danger to thevessel, nor to persons in the vicinity of the buoy, as is the case withbuoys in which naphtha or other highly inflammable liquid hydrocarbon isused.

My invention'is embodied in the construction and combination of parts,substantially as hereinafter described and claimed, and shown in theaccompanying drawings, three sheets.

In Sheet No. 1 I exhibit the buoy in its normal position-21 6. ,whenstowed at the vessels side or stern in readiness for use. Sheet No. 2exhibits the buoy in the act of being launched and also as launched.Sheet No. 3 is restricted to an exhibition of the construction of thetorch in detail.

Sheet 1: Figurel is a perspective View of the buoy stowed at the vesselsside or stern. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3is a horizontal irregular section on line 3 3, Fig. 1.

Sheet 2: Fig 4 is a side view of the buoy in the act of being launched.Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the same launched and the buoy properafloat on the water. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the buoy properafloat, part of same being in section.

Sheet 3: Fig. 7 is a vertical central section of one of the torchescomplete. Fig. 8 is a side View of the calcium-phosphide receptacledetached from the outer or inclosin g case of the torch. Fig. 9 is avertical section of a torch, showing the operation of the same in thewater. Fig. 10 is a detail vertical section showing the plug or seal ofthe phosphide can or receptacle detached from it. Fig. 11 is a detailvertical section showing the phosphide can or receptacle partly insertedin the outer case of the torch.

I employ numerals to indicate the detachable parts constituting the buoyproper and letters to indicate those parts which remain attached to thevessel when the buoy proper has been launched.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4:, and 5, it will be seen that a strongskeleton iron guard, A, is bolted to the side or stern of a vessel andincloses and protects the parts composing the buoy. (A guard of thiskind is not, however, novel.) The buoyproper, 1, is stayed in normalposition, and also guided when being launched, by means of verticalparallel rods B, which are fixed on the side of the vessel, as bestshown in Figs. 2 and 4, by means of screw-bolts Z) and eyed studs 1).

The torches 2 are pivoted to the sides of the buoy proper, 1, and arestayed in normal vertical position alongside the latter, and also guidedin launching, by means of rods 0 C, which are pivoted to and pendentfrom brackets D D, fixed on the side of the vessel. Besides snpportingthe rods 0, the said brackets D have another more important function inthat they coact with small rods E, Figs. 1, 4, 7, and 10, to break theseals of the receptacle 15 for the calcium phosphide when the buoy is inthe act of launching-that is to say, the said rods Ehave enlarged headseand slide through the brackets D, and are also connected with theseals. WVhen the buoy slides downward, these rods E go with it untilsuddenly arrested by contact of their heads e with the brackets D, whichresults in detaching the seals Figs. 4, 10.

In the case of both the buoy proper, 1, and the torches 2 they aredetachably connected with their respective guide-rods B O by means ofeyes or rings 5 6, Figs. 1 and 2. The buoy 1, with its attached torches2, is suspended within the guard A by means of a chain, 7, from adetaching device, F. In practice the latter is tripped (in the usualway) by means of a pull-cord, f, and instantly releases the buoy, whichthen slides down and off the fixed rods B B, Fig. 4, while the torches 2slide through their guides 6, attached to the swinging rods 0. As thebuoy l enters the water, it instantly assumes ahorizontalposition,whilethe torches 2 take a vertical'position by the effect of gravity, asshown in Figs. 5 and 6, Sheet 2. The water finds instant admission tothe torches and the desired illumination is quickly obtained.

Having now set forth the general construction and operation of thebuoy,I will proceed to details, which are requisite to a fuller and moreminute understanding of the same.

The buoy proper, 1, is a flat annular airtight chamber, made preferablyof light sheetcopper. \Vhen stowed, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, it is in verticalposition,and thus has less lateral projection than buoys of cylindrical,spherical, or oval form; but when afloat on the water,Figs. 5 and 6, itmaintains a horizontal position, thus covering a larger area andaffording proportionally greater facilities for being seized by and forsupporting the person requiring its aid. It is provided with a loosechain, 8, which connects its inner sides, and may be bestridden by thesuceored party, thus affording him a measurably secure and comfortablesupport until human aid can reach him. The said chain is attached tometal bands 9, Figs. 1 and 6, that encircle the buoy transversely atopposite points on its circumference.

The eyes or rings 5, that connect the buoy to rods B, form integralparts of or are else firmly secured to the bands 9 on the inside of thebuoy, (when stowed.) These bands are further provided with laterallyprojecting sockets 10, (see especially Figs. 6 and 7,) which serve asbearings for gudgeons or journals 11, that project inward from thetorches 2, and are permanent rigid attachments of thelatter. Accidentaldisconnection of the journals and bearings is prevented by cross-pins12, Fig. 7, Sheet 3, lying in circumferential grooves in the journals,and they allow the torches to rotate freely, so that they always assumeand maintain a vertical position by their own gravity when the buoy isin the water.

As best shown in Figs. 7 and 8, Sheet 3,the torches 2 are each made oftwo main parts, an outer cylindrical case,14, constituting the body andhaving a reduced tubular extension, 14, to which the journals 11 areattached, and an inner cylindrical can, 15, also having a tubularextension, 15, but shorter than the corresponding part,14, of the outercase, 14. This can is the receptacle for the calcium phosphide or otherchemical substance relied on to produce the light. The two parts of thecase 14 are detachably connected by a screw-joint, Fig. 7,mainly forconvenience of construction. The lower portion of the case 14 hasperforations, as shown, Figs. 1 and 7, to allow free admission of waterwhen submerged, Fig. 9. Its bottom is closed by a hinged cover, 16,which may be held normally closed by a safety or toggle pin or any othersuitable fastening. N ormally-that is to say, when the buoy is stowed atthe vessels side-the mouth of the can 15 is closed air and water tightby means of a seal or plug, 17, which is lightly soldered in place. Thesolder is indicated in an exaggerated manner at w in Fig. 7, Sheet 3. Arod, E,

having head e, screws into this sealing-plug 17 and extends upwardthrough the extension 14 of case 14 and slides through the fixed bracketB, Figs. 1, 4, and 5. This screw-joint allows the rod E and plug 17 tobe easily connected and disconnected, as required, Fig. 11. Theextensions 14 of torches 2 slide easily in the guide-eyes 5, Fig. 1,that are permanent attachments of rods (7, pendent from the brackets D.These rods are pivoted to the latter to permit such slight movement asmay be required to facilitate the rapid descent of the buoy whenreleased from device F.

The ealcium-phosphide receptacle 15, Figs. 7 and 9, Sheet 1*, hasconsiderably less diameter than the interior of the inclosing-case 14,and the annular space between them admits water to the can, as shown byarrows, Fig. 9, when the plug 17 is detached. For supporting the can 15within the case 14 when first placed therein, and for preventing freelateral movement in the case when the buoy is stowed,

I employ angular platesprings 18, which are attached to the sides of thecan and extend downward and outward, their angular shoulders resting onan annular rib, 19, formed integrally with or else rigidly secured tothe inner side of the case 14. The free ends of said springs serve asthumbpieces, by which the springs may be pressed inward to disengagethem from the rib 19 when it is desired to remove the can 15 from thecase 14.

I will now give a brief resume of the manner of using the buoy, and alsobriefly indicate the manner of replenishing the supply of chemicalilluminant.

When the buoy proper,1,is released from the device F, Fig. 4, Sheet 2,the rings 5 slide on rods B, and the torches 2, being connected with it,also slide downward in rings 6, at-

tached to pendent rods 0. The rods E, attached to theseals 1'7, descendwith the torches proper until arrested by contact of their heads 6 withbrackets D, as shown in Fig. 4, when the sudden shock breaks the solderjoint at a (see Fig. 7, Sheet 3) between the plug 17 and cantube 15,sothat the rods E are left suspended, Figs. 4, 5, from the brackets D,while the torches proper,2,continue their descent along with the buoyproper, both maintaining a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 4, Sheet2, until they strike the water, when the buoy I instantly floatshorizontally, Figs. 5 and 6, the torches remaining vertical. As soon asthe lower ends of the torches 2 enter the water, the latter rushesthrough the openings in case 1-; and pours over the top of tube 14. intothe can15. Mutual chemical decomposition of the water and phosphides atonce ensues, and a bright glow is emitted from the top of tubes 14', asshown in Figs. 5, 6, and 9. It will be seen that the tube 15 extendsinto the tube 14 of the outer case far enough to insure the re quiredupward direction to the gas evolved. The duration of the illuminationmay be regulated by the amount of the phosphide with which the can ischarged and the diameter of the tube 15,forming part of the can. Inpractice, the can 15 is usually filled with the phosphide to abouttwo-thirds of its capacity. It is of course resnpplied after eachoccasion of use. To do this the hinged bottom 16 of case l-l isunlit-stoned, the springs 18 compressed, and the can 15 removed, Fig.11. The new charge of phosphide is poured in through the tube 15. Theplugs 17, having been unscrewed from the rods E, are then soldered inplace,as before, and the cans 15 then replaced in the case 14, Fig. 11.Upon hoisting the buoy and torches 2 to the normal position, Figs. land2, the tubes 14 are guided into rings 6, and the rods E into torclrtubes15 and screwed into the plugs 17. The rings 5 on the buoybands 9 alsoslide up on the fixed rods D, and the chain 7 being again connected withthe detachingdevicelflthe operation is completed, and the buoy is storedand ready for use as before.

In the preliminarystatement indicating the main features of my inventionI have referred to the fact that port-fire may be used in the torches inplace of a chemical capable of decomposition with water. I do notpropose to describe or illustrate herein any special means or devicesfor causing ignition of such portfire, but will state that a device maybe arranged in the tube 15 so as to be operated by sealing-plug 17 whenthe latter is broken from the tube, and thus caused to explode a percussion-cap or other fulminate, which will ignite the port iirc. All theparts composing the buoy would tlieret'orebc employed in precisely thesame manner when port fire is used as when the calcium phosphide isused, the only change made being the addition of some automatic firingdevice of the character above indicated.

It is obvious that the torches may serve equally well as signal-stattsby day for indi eating the position of the buoy, since they always standerect and are visible at a considerable distance. When it is desired touse the buoy without the light, (as, for instance, in practice at sea orin port,) it is only necessary to screw the rods E out of thesealing-plugs 17.

I desire it understood that I do not confine myself to the precisedetails of construction and arrangement of parts, as the same may bevaried. For example, instead of two staffs or torches, I may use oneonly, which would be attached to the middle of a rotating axis extending across the central opening of the buoy proper andjournaled inits sides, so that the staff would project up from the center of thebuoy when the latter is launched, but would fold flat,or as nearly aspracticable in the same plane with the buoy,when the same is'stowed. Toenable it to fold thus, the buoy proper might have depressions ortransverse grooves on opposite sides to receive the hotly of the staffor torch, extending across the buoy. Thus, as in the case of two staffs,the symmetry and balance of the parts composing the buoy would bemaintained and (what is more important) its adaptability to fold intothe most compact form for stowing. In respect to this latter feature Iwill add that it is not indispensable that the staffs or torches shouldbe pivoted about their center of gravity,although such arrangement isgreatly to be preferred, since they may be rendered self-righting byadjunctive means or devices attached to the buoy proper. They may alsofold toward and into the center of the buoy, instead of alongside thesame.

It is obvious that chains may be used in place of the rods E forunsealing the cans 15, and the lower ends of the rods themselves may bemade to seal the cans instead of the plugs 17 but of course, if suchchanges be adopted, certain disadvantages would attend them and thepractical cliectiveness of the buoy be seriously impaired.

I propose in practice to identify this buoy by the name Franklin.

What I claim is- 1. A life-buoy consisting of a heat or buoy proper, atorch attached thereto and provided with a chamber for containing acombustible substance, and a breakable or detachable seal which normallycloses the mouth of such chamber water-tight and is permanentlyconnected with the vessel, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with the buoy proper and a torch having a chamberfor containing a substance capable of such combustion as to producelight, of a detachable or breakable seal applied to the mouth of thetorch and a rod permanently connected with the vessel and extending downto and permanently attached to said seal for usein detaching the latterwhen the buoy is launched,as shown and described.

3. The combination of the buoy and torches IIC connected with it, acombustible substance contained within the torches, seals orsealingplugs for closing the mouths of the receptacles for suchsubstance, but which are easily detachable therefrom, rods connectedwith such plugs, and a detent for detaining said rods when the buoy islaunched, whereby the seals are broken, as specified.

4. The combination of the buoy and torches connected with it and havinga chamber foi containing a combustible substance for pro ducing light,seals or sealing-plugs which normally close the mouths of thereceptacles for such substance, but are detachably applied thereto, rodswhich connect with the said seals, and the fixed brackets D, attached tothe side of the vessel for arresting the descent of said rods, and thusbreaking the seals, when the buoy is being launched, substantially asspecified.

5. The combination of the buoy and torches having a receptacle forcontaining a combustible substance, plugs for sealing the months of thereceptacles for such substance, and rods v which are connected with theplugs by a detachablejoint, whereby said rods may be disconnected whenrequired, as and for the purposes hereinbefore specified.

6. .The combination of the buoy proper, torches attached thereto, androds arranged vertically on the side of the vessel for staying andguiding the torches,substantiall y as shown and described.

7. The combination of the buoy proper, torches attached to it;guide-rods pivoted to fixed supports and hanging freely therefrom, andrings or eyes for detachably connecting the said torches and rods,substantially as specified.

8. The combination of the buoy proper and guide-rods B B, the torchespivoted to the sides of the buoy, and the vertical pivoted swingingguide-rods GO, and rings or eyes for connecting the buoy and torches tosuch respective rods, as shown and described.

9. The combination of the buoy proper,having guide-rings 5 attached toits sides, the stay-rods D, fixed parallel on the side of the vessel andpassing through said guide-rings, the torches pivoted to the buoy, andrings 6, which are permanently connected with the vessel and serve asguides for the torches,sub stantially as shown and described.

10. The combination,with the buoy proper and the outer torch-case havingan internal rib and the cover which may be opened, of the can 15, havingsprings attached, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

PHlLlP HIOHBORN.

Witnesses:

B. KNAPP, O. H. SIMONDS, Jr.

